[Value of new prostate cancer markers: alpha methylacyl CoA racemase (P504S) and p63]

Abstract

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is based on histological examination of prostatic biopsies using histological criteria identified on standard stains. In certain lesions mimicking prostate cancer, the pathologist must perform immunohistochemical studies looking for loss of basal cells and antibodies directed against cytokeratin CK 903 (34bE12) or CK5/6, which sometimes give inconclusive results leading to a diagnosis of suspicious site. The discovery of overexpression of alpha-méthylacyl CoA racemase in prostate cancer using a microarray technique has allowed the development and marketing of an antibody (P504S /AMACR) which, in combination with a new basal cell marker (p63), is a very valuable tool for the pathologist in the management of suspicious sites and cancers less than 1 mm in diameter detected on prostatic biopsies.